ACROPOLIS RALLY RALLY PRE-EVENT RELEASE/MITSUBISHI MOTORS/2002 WRC

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The 49th Acropolis Rally marks the mid-point in the FIA World Rally Championship, and Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart will be fielding two Lancer Evolution WRCs for regular drivers François Delecour/Daniel Grataloup and Alister McRae/David Senior in this, the seventh round of the series.

In contrast to the picturesque sun-drenched destination sought by holidaymakers, Greece is one of the classics in the calendar and renowned for its gruelling nature. First run in 1952, the Acropolis Rally quickly earned its reputation as one of the toughest tests for man and machinery. Hard-baked gravel roads strewn with rocks and boulders test the strength and durability of state-of-the-art world rally cars, while the searing heat in the middle of the Mediterranean summer saps energy and demands peak fitness. The abrasive mountain tracks that wind their way around Mount Olympus in central Greece also pose a challenge for the tyre manufacturers and, with a choice of just two different tyre patterns stipulated in the regulations, durability is a significant issue. However, in partnership with Michelin, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart will undoubtedly make extensive use of the new specification GW tyre - launched in Cyprus - the pattern of which is designed to optimise the way the tread blocks soak up the stresses each time they hit the ground. One of the benefits of this is enhanced control of wear over rocky terrain, where wheelspin is especially aggressive on tyres.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
F. Delecour / D. Grataloup
(Photo Rd.6 2002 Rally Argentina)

François Delecour has competed in Greece six times with a mixture of results, but he and co-driver Daniel Grataloup will be looking for a solid performance this year after a disappointing retirement in Argentina.

"After the Safari Rally, for sure this is the most difficult event in the Championship for the car", commented François. "Because it is very very rough you must have good suspension, including shock absorbers and springs; this is the most important thing. Tyres are very dependent on the weather, but this is also difficult because avoiding punctures is hard. Even with the anti-deflation system, which normally works well, it’s sometimes difficult to avoid punctures, which can then cause many other problems. Our approach will be the same as always, flat out, because although the car was better in Argentina, we have to push and keep trying different things. For me, the heat is no problem, I like it…. I need it - the hotter it is, the better I feel".

Team-mate Alister McRae, and co-driver David Senior - who returned from Argentina to marry girlfriend Victoria - have only previously contested this event three times, once in the Formula 2 category.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution WRC
Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart
A. McRae / D. Senior
(Photo Rd.6 2002 Rally Argentina)

"The hard and rocky roads test the endurance of the car to the limit, but Greece should be an event that suits the Lancer Evolution", said Alister. "The wear rate of the tyres is significant on such hard wearing stages, but we’ll have the chance during a three-day test before the event to see what works best in the conditions this year. Heat and dust also characterise this event making it a big challenge for everyone".

Adding to their comments, Marlboro Mitsubishi Ralliart team manager Derek Dauncey said: "Our three day test before the event will focus on the suspension set-up and confirming different options very specific to this event. In Greece we’re also allowed to have two spare wheels (the only other event where this regulation is permitted being Kenya), so we also have to check the positioning of these and get both as central and low as possible to optimise weight distribution. These days, the competition is so strong and tough that we need a good clean run"

Headquarters for the Acropolis Rally is based in the Adriatic Port of Itea, however, in keeping with tradition, the event will start in the centre of Athens on Thursday 13 June. The opening leg on Friday covers six stages and 136.35 competitive kilometres, while the second leg is the longest of the rally and includes the first run at the daunting 37.16 kilometre Elatia stage. The final day of competition covers just four stages and 96.39 competitive kilometres, but includes a second run at the longest stage, and promises to provide a thrilling finale to an event notorious for his high rate of attrition. The 49th Acropolis Rally covers a total distance of 1197.85 kilometres, 391.50 of which is competitive over 16 special stages.